Vlogging, specifically the act of recording an imperfect life, fosters relatability in viewers and acts as a powerful motivational tool for personal productivity.
Most people in our generation have a comfort YouTuber that they watch. Trisha Paytas’ mental breakdowns are the realest thing I’ve ever seen and Tana Mongeou has enough drama in her life for the both of us. On the other hand, we all have those creators that we look up to as role models; Taliyah Joelle somehow pulls her life together with an insane glute workout and I aspire to be on the stairmaster as long as Hailey Fernandez.
Creators documenting their personal life is entertaining, sure, but what makes them turn on the camera? It’s not the paid promotions, or funny references: it’s their ability to be vulnerable.
Trisha Paytas posting her crying on her kitchen floor is as brave as singing in the talent show. It takes guts to show your true self, knowing that people will judge and pick apart every word that leaves your mouth.
Though it doesn’t sound productive, watching a woman sob while eating a ball of popcorn, I think it healed something in me. Watching her talk about life problems and letting out her raw emotions demonstrated that I want the mental clarity and bravery to be able to do that.
On the other hand, the other, more marketable creators I watch have inspired me as well. My favorite YouTube videos of Taliyah Joelle are the ones where she starts off by explaining how her life has been off track for the past two weeks. Though I’ve been off track the past three months, watching her rebuild from scratch and lift with determination makes me want to do the same.
Although I’m not a YouTuber, I’ve recently implemented vlogging into my own life. Having both the imperfect and seemingly perfect influencers has helped me a lot on my own journey. There are aspects from each side that I’d like to reflect in my own life.
On one hand, I see people trying their best and showing what it’s like to be human: mistakes, accidents, but the inevitable urge to get back up again.
On the other hand, I have role models: the people who lift consistently, stick to their plan, and have skilled discipline.
Though not every vlog I make is me trying to get my life together, aka build Rome in a day, it’s helped me to become a better version of myself.
Sometimes it’s as simple as a shopping haul on Snapchat, but other times, making a video I will never post helps me do the most daunting tasks.
When I don’t want to fold my laundry, clean my room, or even get up from my bed, I open up my camera app and start recording. I’ve adopted this mentality that no one will watch the video if it’s boring. No, the videos aren’t posted, or even edited, but the ideology has worked as an incentive for me to get things done.
On top of making jokes and talking about what’s going on in my life, I get to express both being human and becoming like my role models.
In the end, you don’t need to record your next mental breakdown, or a mini series of deep cleaning your room. All you need to do is pick up the camera and turn it on.
